I didn't get to see this film until 1983, when it was on TV - and it came as a very pleasant surprise, and has remained a firm favourite ever since.
The story is loosely based on the classic French film 'Les Diaboliques' - a theme earlier explored by Hammer in Taste of Fear.
In this film, newlyweds Peggy (Judy Geeson) & Robert (Ralph Bates) move into a lodge house in the grounds of a sprawling private school, where Robert has a new teaching post. The school is empty due to the school holidays, but headmaster Michael (a great turn by Peter Cushing) is in-situ.
The slightly mentally unstable Peggy is being stalked by an unknown attacker who has seemingly followed her to her new home, and this doesn't help her mental state.
When she finally cracks and takes action, what will the consequences be?
I love the atmosphere of this film, which is beautifully directed by Jimmy Sangster (who also wrote the screenplay). The empty school feels foreboding, and it's also great to see Joan Collins in full bitch mode!
Lovers of 'Avengerland' (such as me) will love all the locations around Elstree, such as the Haberdashers' Aske's School, Tykes Water and Bhaktivedanta Manor (just before it was purchased by Beatle George Harrison as the UK branch of the Hare Krishna movement as their HQ).
The film almost seems like a prelude too to Hammer's 80s TV series - being set in the Home Counties in contemporary England, where sinister events often lurk behind seemingly normal people and events.
It's a pity Hammer didn't make more horror films in this vein in the troubled 70s - this film certainly shows a lot of promise, and is definitely among my favourites.
The story is loosely based on the classic French film 'Les Diaboliques' - a theme earlier explored by Hammer in Taste of Fear.
In this film, newlyweds Peggy (Judy Geeson) & Robert (Ralph Bates) move into a lodge house in the grounds of a sprawling private school, where Robert has a new teaching post. The school is empty due to the school holidays, but headmaster Michael (a great turn by Peter Cushing) is in-situ.
The slightly mentally unstable Peggy is being stalked by an unknown attacker who has seemingly followed her to her new home, and this doesn't help her mental state.
When she finally cracks and takes action, what will the consequences be?
I love the atmosphere of this film, which is beautifully directed by Jimmy Sangster (who also wrote the screenplay). The empty school feels foreboding, and it's also great to see Joan Collins in full bitch mode!
Lovers of 'Avengerland' (such as me) will love all the locations around Elstree, such as the Haberdashers' Aske's School, Tykes Water and Bhaktivedanta Manor (just before it was purchased by Beatle George Harrison as the UK branch of the Hare Krishna movement as their HQ).
The film almost seems like a prelude too to Hammer's 80s TV series - being set in the Home Counties in contemporary England, where sinister events often lurk behind seemingly normal people and events.
It's a pity Hammer didn't make more horror films in this vein in the troubled 70s - this film certainly shows a lot of promise, and is definitely among my favourites.